'Senseless': Macomb County man sentenced to prison after argument over Taco Bell turned deadly

ROSEVILLE, Mich. (FOX 2) - Last year, an argument between roommates over Taco Bell in Roseville turned deadly, and now a man is headed to prison for the murder.

Mark Newsome, 55, pleaded no contest earlier this year to manslaughter in the death of 72-year-old Dale Francis Mitchell. He was sentenced Wednesday to 5-15 years behind bars, with credit for 581 days.

A Macomb County judge called the murder "senseless" and said he almost exceeded the sentencing agreement of 5-15 years but "reluctantly" decided to follow it. 

"This loss is particularly devastating because the good times spent with family and friends are replaced by the horrible visions of the pain he must have experienced as he was brutally beaten to death while begging for his life," said Michele Van Laan, Crime Victim Rights Unit.

The backstory:

It was initially reported that the victim allegedly stole Newsome's food. However, according to Newsome's attorney, Mitchell had taken food from another roommate while Newsome was sleeping. When Newsome heard the commotion from this incident, he got up and got involved.

According to authorities, the argument that ensued after the accusation led to Newsome allegedly beating Mitchell to death. 

Police called to the scene found Mitchell unconscious, bleeding, and bruised. 

Investigators say Mitchell's heart stopped from the beating.

Newsome was arrested without incident, and charged with second-degree murder. His manslaughter plea deal includes a sentence agreement of 5-15 years.

While speaking to the court during his sentencing, Newsome said the victim tried to punch him in the face days before the fatal assault, and claimed he had been the target of Mitchell previously. 

Newsome, a former construction worker living with disabilities, claimed Mitchell was difficult to live with and always picking fights.

"I don’t have any criminal record. I didn’t intentionally kill Dale," he said in court. "I had next to my bed what I called the Dale wall I made because I didn’t trust him. That’s another thing, I was backed into a corner."

"By all accounts Dale Mitchell considered himself to be top dog in the boarding house. He ran the roost," Newsome's attorney claimed.

Mitchell's family wrote in a victim impact statement that his health had declined before his death, making him more vulnerable.

Judge Caretti shared his dismay at the needless tragedy.

"To take a man's life over a Taco Bell meal that wasn't even the defendant's meal is beyond senseless," he said.